Partnering to advance energy efficiency

In May, the City Council approved an energy action plan for Bloomington that sets community-wide goals to reduce greenhouse emissions from energy use. The plan was developed by a team of community representatives through Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy program. The plan calls for a 75 percent reduction in combined emissions from electricity and natural gas by the year 2035. To achieve this goal, the plan outlines near-term and long-term strategies to increase energy-efficient practices and renewable energy generation in commercial, residential and municipal sectors. The plan also includes strategies to reduce emissions from transportation.

The Partners in Energy team was approved by Council in 2017 and held five workshops to develop the plan. The team includes members of the Bloomington Sustainability Commission; City staff; Bloomington residents; Bloomington Public Schools; staff from local businesses Donaldson, HealthPartners, Mall of America, OATI, Quality Bike Products; and other organizations.